New Jersey Considering Stiffer Penalties for Repeat DUI Offenses On June 7, 2012, the New Jersey Assembly Law and Public Safety Committee approved a bill that would increase the possible penalties for those who have multiple driving under the influence convictions. Drivers in New Jersey should be aware of the state's punishments for repeat DUI convictions and how they may change if the Assembly passes this bill. Current DUI Penalties The punishment for multiple DUI offenses in New Jersey is already severe: -Second DUI conviction: forty-eight hours to 90 days ...

Easy Steps to Protect Your Assets in a Divorce Getting a divorce can be a complicated, messy process for unprepared couples. However, by taking certain steps, those considering divorce can increase the odds of achieving a fair result. When the vague idea of divorcebecomes a reality, it's important to immediately separate financial assets such as checking, savings and credit card accounts. Individuals should try to maintain, or begin creating, financial independence and credit in their own names. Further, some spouses may try to cut off -- or take advantage of -- the ...

A Do-it-Yourself Missouri Divorce Can Lead to Difficulty The number of people representing themselves in divorce proceedings has steadily increased over the last couple of years. When a person represents themselves in a divorce it is called a "pro se" case. A pro se case usually stems from a desire to save money, but there are also cultural forces that may influence a litigant to self-represent. A growing do-it-yourself mindset, a desire to cut out the "middleman," or simply a general apprehension about attorneys and the legal field can make a person ...

Social Security Disability Benefits for Injured Military Veterans To help wounded soldiers receive disability benefits more quickly, the Social Security Administration offers expedited claims processing for military veterans who are unable to work as a result of an injury received in service. Who is Eligible for Disability Benefits? Members of the U.S. military may qualify for expedited claims processing with the SSA if they became disabled during active military service on or after October 1, 2001, regardless of where the injury occurred. However, to receive Social ...

Supplemental Needs Trusts Can Provide for Long-Term Care Parents often worry about their children and what the future holds for their offspring. Parents of children with special needs may be even more anxious than most parents, with an acute worry about who will care for their children after the special-needs child's parents have passed away. Parents should be aware that there are estate planning options, such as a supplemental needs trust, that can ensure that their children will have assets to meet their needs long into the future. What Is a Supplemental Needs Trust? A ...

Why Have a Will? Making plans for asset transfers after a person dies is not high on many people's lists of fun things to do. However, everyone over the age of 18 should have a will to detail how they want to distribute their possessions after they die. People should understand who needs a will, the contents of a will and the benefits of having a will. Who Needs a Will? All adults need wills. However, having a will can be even more important for those who: -Are married -Have been divorced -Have children -Have partners but are not married -Own a business ...

Federal Study: One-Third of Teens Admit to Texting While Driving A nationwide study by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that one-third of teenagers are texting behind the wheel. The 2011 CDC study anonymously surveyed more than 15,000 high school students to analyze their driving habits and experiences. While dangerous behaviors like drinking and driving and failure to wear a seatbelt are seeing marked reductions, one-third of the teenagers admitted to texting or emailing while driving during the month preceding the survey. Further, while ...

After Foreclosure or Bankruptcy, More Americans Are Buying Homes Again A growing number of Americans are qualifying for home mortgages and re-entering the housing market just a few years after losing a previous home to foreclosure, Reuters reported recently. Many of these buyers lost their homes in the Great Recession, and some feel they are being given a second chance -- much sooner than they expected, in some cases. Since 2007, there have been more than 4 million foreclosures in the US, and that number is expected to reach 6 million by 2014, according to RealtyTrac, ...

New Yorkers Asking for Ignition Interlock Devices on All Cars After a recent high school graduate was killed when she was hit by a drunk driver, a petition called "Install Sensitive Interlock Devices" was started on the website Change.org. The petition urges lawmakers in New York State to require alcohol-sensing devices in all cars. If installed, the devices would stop cars from starting when a person is over the legal blood alcohol content limit. Public Support for the Petition If the petition gets into the legislature, it will be called "Brittney's ...

Financial and Estate Planning Considerations for Same-Sex Couples In these tumultuous times, the legal and financial landscape for same-sex couples is in a state of constant flux, making long-term planning a challenging task. This article outlines a few important considerations for same-sex couples who are planning for the future together. Inheritance A potentially complex issue under any circumstances, inheriting property and other assets after the death of a partner can be especially complicated for same-sex couples. To help ensure that your loved ones are provided ...

How Does a Person Qualify to File Chapter 7 Bankruptcy? Chapter 7 bankruptcy is also known as "liquidation bankruptcy" because the trustee in the case liquidates all of the filer's assets that are not protected by exemptions to pay back creditors. Then the court absolves the filer of personal liability for all remaining debts. In 2005, Congress amended the law in an effort to ensure that only those who truly need the powerful protections of Chapter 7 bankruptcy can file. As a result, people now need to pass a means test before filing for Chapter 7 bankruptcy, ...

Former Tennessee Football Player Files Chapter 11 Bankruptcy Football player Jamal Lewis, who once played for the Tennessee Volunteers and went on to have a professional football career in the NFL, filed for bankruptcy in June of 2012. While stories about professional athletes with money troubles are not uncommon, what may be surprising about Lewis' case is that he filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection -- the type most people associate with business reorganizations. Chapter 11 bankruptcy is available to individuals in some cases and offers people several benefits. High ...

Surprising Credit Score Killers Many know that it is important to maintain good credit. Credit ratings can affect so many aspects of a person's life, including the ability to obtain home and auto loans, the interest rates on loans, the ability to rent housing, and in some cases job opportunities. People trying to rebuild their credit should be aware of some of the more surprising things that can undo the work they have done. Collections Once an account of any type goes to a collections agency, it has a negative effect on a person's credit score. People may not ...

California State University Fullerton's Mihaylo College of Business and Economics today announced that its Family Business Council now will be officially recognized as the Center for Family Business. The rebranded Council is now aligned with Mihaylo's 13 other Centers of Excellence that focus on specific areas of interest and are an integral part of the business school's practical approach to education. All of the Centers address a variety of needs and issues in the community, providing an array of services to local business and government sectors and presenting Mihaylo ...

The National Alliance for Advanced Biofuels and Bioproducts (NAABB), a consortium of leading scientists and engineers from universities, private industry, and national laboratories led by the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center announced Executive Director, Jose Olivares has been selected to serve as Division Leader for the Bioscience Division, a central hub for biotechnology development at Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL). Olivares who has considerable experience in algal biofuels research, will lead a team of 180 researchers and staff within disciplinary groups ...

Moving and Storage company DN Van Lines, an award winning local and long distance mover, today announced that revenues for its Jacksonville FL branch exceeded $350,000 for the first half 2012. This figure represents a 60% increase over revenues for the same time period in the previous year of 2011. DN Van Lines expanded into the Northern Florida local moving and storage market by opening a location in Jacksonville is 2010. During past two and a half years the branch has experienced steady growth in volume of business for professional moving and general transportation ...

BKD Forensics & Valuation Services, a division of BKD, LLP, is pleased to announce that Angela Morelock will be presenting for the St. Louis Chapter of the Risk Management Association. Her presentation, "Internal Bank Fraud & Embezzlement: Lessons Learned from the Trenches" will focus on the world of internal embezzlement and the symptoms management should watch for with a focus on how organizations can better protect themselves. Morelock leads BKD's forensic accounting and investigations team, providing fraud investigation and prevention, complex litigation ...

The Stacker wheeled robot kit is machined from 1/4" ABS plastic for strength and durability. The ABS framework also allows for easy drilling to accommodate custom attachments such as cameras, sensors, etc. The framework provides a large electronics compartment that stores the receiver, battery, and any additional added electronics. With 3" drive wheels and omni-directional movement, the Stacker travels well and is easy to maneuver. The Stacker Robot comes in kit form with assembly instructions, a parts list, and a 1:1 scale hardware key for easy assembly. The ...

IPG - a leading manufacturer of products for the building and construction and HVAC industries - introduces UL 181-rated AC50UL, a premium-grade HVAC duct tape for flexible air ducts and air connectors. The new 14 mil high-strength polyethylene-coated cloth duct tape is engineered with an aggressive adhesive to create a strong bond to duct surfaces. IPG developed the tape with superior adhesion to meet the specific performance demands of today's HVAC contractor. The conformity of AC50UL to the UL 181 B-FX standard means that the tape meets flexible duct criteria for ...

Portland's recent launch on CityHolistic.com marks the fifth community established on the site, following St. Louis, New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles. Like its predecessors, the Portland site will include a directory of holistic practitioners, goods, and services as well as blogs, a job board, event board, and helpful hints for leading a holistic life. While CityHolistic.com staff chose the first four cities, the CityHolistic.com community voted Portland as the newest addition. "CityHolistic.com really is a community, and we wanted to embrace that by letting ...

throughout Brockton and the 22 surrounding communities, say lawmakers have not addressed the home care needs of many seniors and people with disabilities. According to Mass Home Care Executive Director Al Norman, the state's home care program had nearly 2,000 elders on a waiting list as the new fiscal year began July 1st. "We are hoping that members of the General Court will not accept home care waiting lists as a fact of life," Norman said. "We've asked the Ways & Means Committees not to break for reelection campaigns until they address the ...

"I am the engine" (IATE), a grass-roots cycling initiative, invites Middle Tennessee cyclists to "Whole Fuel & Local Pour," a free family event Tuesday, July 31, from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Whole Foods Market in Franklin, Tennessee. The event, which features free food, craft beer and group rides for cyclists of all ages and skill levels, is intended to raise public awareness of the health benefits of cycling. The group ride event celebrates the Jeff Roth Cycling Foundation's recent success of receiving enough signatures to create "Share the ...

MONEXgroup's integrated and semi-integrated payment systems provide merchants and their customers with a seamless payment experience that is both reliable and fast. MONEXgroup's integrated and semi-integrated systems empower clients by providing real-time visibility into day-to-day finances and inventory, enabling merchants to make informed business decisions based on identified trends and patterns while eliminating opportunities for human error and ensuring compliance with industry security standards. "MONEXgroup is proud to offer our merchants with this efficient ...

BASTROP, Texas - July 26, 2012 - This September, Michael Olson, author of MetroFarm (Ben Franklin Book of the Year finalist) and executive producer and host of the syndicated Food Chain Radio talk show, will explain how individuals can "eat their way to economic and personal freedom" by taking the 2x2 Pledge. Olson's keynote speech kicks off the Sixth Annual Farm and Food Leadership Conference, a two-day event that begins Monday, September 10, 2012 at the Bastrop Convention Center. The conference, which has grown in attendance each year, is organized by the ...

Easter Seals Hawaii will host their thirty-first Annual Golf Classic on Wednesday, September 12th, 2012. The tournament is presented by Atlas Insurance Agency and will take place at the Hawaii Prince Golf Course, designed by Arnold Palmer and Ed Seay in Ewa Beach. This event has a long history as one of Hawaii's most-loved charity golf tournaments, and remains a crucial fundraiser for Easter Seals Hawaii. Board Chairman, Mason Williams, said "We are so grateful for the support of the community in making this annual event a fundraising success. Every dollar raised ...